Fire protection system

ABSTRACT

A fire protection system for wetting the exterior surface of a building structure to prevent ignition of the structure by a fire in the vicinity of the structure. The protection system embodies a unique recirculating water system for directing water over both the roof and sidewalls of the structure and an automatic fire detection and control system for activating the water system in response to a fire and terminating operation of the water system when the fire is extinguished.

United States Patent Inventor Clarence D. McFadden [56] References Cited 385%; Park UNITED STATES PATENTS P 2,337,710 12/1943 Cowan l69/2X med 3 179 181 4/1965 Banzato 169/13 Patented June 8, l9" Assignee a part interest to Arloa Bunnell Primary Examiner-Lloyd L. King Hacienda Heights, Calif. Attorney-Boniard I. Brown ABSTRACT: A fire protection system for wetting the exterior :YSTEM surface of a building structure to prevent ignition of the struca g ture by a fire in the vicinity of the structure. The protection US. Cl. n, 169/2, system embodies a unique recirculating water system for 169/ I3, 169/ 16 directing water over both the roof and side walls of the struc- Int. Cl. A621: 3/00 ture and an automatic fire detection and control system for ac- Field of Search 169/2, [3, tivating the water system in response to a fire and terminating l6 operation of the water system when the fire is extinguished.

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PATENTED Jun 8 |97| /N l/EA/TOR CLARENCE D. MCEADDEA/ A TTORIVE Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to the field of fire protection systems and more particularly to a fire protection system for wetting the outside of a building structure in response to a fire in the vicinity of the structure, thereby to prevent ignition of the structure by the fire.

2. Prior Art In certain areas, notably Southern California, hazardous fire areas exist in which homes and other building structures face the constant threat of being consumed by fires which start, not within the structures themselves, but rather in surrounding brush areas. By wayof example, the large population growth in the Los Angeles area of Southern California has resulted in the extension of home construction into the surrounding mountain and canyon regions. These regions are generally quite dry and, being covered by brush and trees, are prone to frequent fires. In recent years, a number of these brush fires have caused large scale destruction of homes which are often large and costly.

Various fire protection systems have been devised to protect homes and other building structures against ignition by such surrounding brush fires and other fires which originate outside the structures. One of these existing fire protection systems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,l79,l8l. This patent system uses a home swimming pool as a water reservoir and provides a plumbing system for pumping water from the pool and discharging the water over the roof of the house to wet the roof and thereby prevent its ignition by falling sparks and embers from a fire in the vicinity. U.S. Pat. No. 1,620,142 discloses a plumbing arrangement for a fire protection system which is arrayed to direct water over both the roof and walls of a structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved fire protection system of the general class described. According to one aspect of the invention, the water circulating system or plumbing of the fire protection system is uniquely arranged in such a way that water is discharged onto the roof of a structure along its peak or crest and flows by gravity along the roof to the eaves, then around the underside of the caves to the walls, and finally downwardly along the walls. In this way, both the roof and walls are wetted with a relatively simple water circulating system which is economical to manufacture and easy to install. One element of this circulating system is a gutter which serves the dual function of a rain gutter. According to an important feature of this inventive aspect, a trough is provided along the base of the walls for collecting the water flowing downwardly, along the walls and directing the water to a reservoir, such as a swimming pool from which the water is returned to the roof.

Another important aspect of the invention is concerned with automatic control of the water circulating system in such a way that the system is started when a fire is detected and stopped when the fire is quenched. According to this aspect, the circulating system has a pump or other flow inducing or regulating device operated by a control unit coupled to one or more fire sensors. These sensors are placed at selected locations on and/or about the building structure to be protected. Detection of a fire by any sensor actuates the control unit to start the water circulating system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a building structure equipped with a fire protection system according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-4 in FIG. and

FIG. Sis a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to these drawings, there is illustrated a building structure 10, in this instance a house, equipped with a fire protection system I2 according to the invention. Structure 10 has a peaked or sloping roof I4 and sidewalls 16. The edge of the roof projects beyond the sidewalls to form an overhanging eave 18.

In general terms, the fire protection system 12 comprises a water conduit 20 mounted along the peak or crest of the roof l4 and a gutter 22 mounted along the edge of the roof. Conduit 20 has outlet means 24 for discharging water onto the roof 14 adjacent its crest, such that the water flows by gravity downwardly along the roof and into the gutter 22. The gutter has outlet means 26 for discharging water under the eaves 18 onto the upper portions of the sidewalls 16. The water thus flows by gravity downwardly along the walls. Mounted along the base of the walls is a trough 28 for collecting the water draining from the walls.

Also included in the fire protection system 12 is a water recirculating system 30 for returning water from the lower base trough 28 to the roof conduit 20. This recirculating system includes a water reservoir 32, which in this instance is a swimming pool, a drain conduit or pipe 34 leading from the lower trough 22 to the reservoir, a return conduit 36 leading from the reservoir to the roof conduit 20, and a pump 38 operated by a motor 40 for pumping water from the reservoir to the roof conduit.

Referring in more detail to the inventive embodiment selected for illustration, the roof conduit 20 is an upwardly opening trough having sidewalls over which the water flows from the trough to the roof I4. Mounted over the trough is a cover 42 for shielding the trough against falling ashes, leaves and other debris which might clog the system. Cover 42 is spaced from the trough sidewalls to define the outlet means 24 ofthe roof conduit.

The roof eave gutter 22 is an upwardly opening trough which is mounted along the edge of the roof to catch the water draining from the roof. This gutter is preferably covered by a screen 44 or thelike to keep debris out of the gutter. It will be observed that the gutter also serves as a rain gutter.

The outlet means 26 of the gutter 22 comprises an upper trough 46 which is mounted under the eaves 18, adjacent the upper portion of the building sidewalls 16. As shown best in FIG. 5, the trough has a high outer wall 48 such that water overflows only the inner wall 50 of the trough. Along the lower edge of the inner wall is a baffle 52 for directing the water against the adjacent building wall 16. Extending between the gutter 22 and the upper trough 46 are a number (only one shown) of pipes 54 through which water flows from the gutter to the conduit.

The sidewall base trough 28 is mounted along the base of the structure sidewalls 16. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate two alternative ways of installing this base trough. Preferably, the base trough is covered by a screen 56 like the gutter 22.

It will now be understood that when the pump 38 is operating, water is pumped from the reservoir or pool 32 to the roof crest conduit or trough 20. The water flows from this trough to the roof 14 of the structure 10 and then along the roof to the gutter 22. The water drains from the gutter to the upper trough 46 and then overflows this trough to the structure walls 16. After running down along the walls, the water drains into the base trough 28 from which it returns to the pool 32. Thus, the fire protection system I2 is effective to wet both the roof and sidewalls of the building structure.

Also embodied in the protection system is an automatic control system 58. This control system has a control unit or starter 60 for the pump motor 40 and fire sensors or detectors 62 for actuating the control unit. The fire sensors 62 may be responsive to the heat of a flame and are coupled to the motor starter 60 in such a way that detection of a fire by any sensor triggers the starter to start the pump motor 40. Cooling of the While the invention has been described in what is presently conceived to be one of its most practical embodiments, it will be evident to those versed in the art w that various modifications of the invention are possible within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

The inventor claims: 1. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising:

a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof caves, and a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and outlet means extending from said gutter under said eaves for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls.

2. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising:

a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves,

a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, and

said conduit comprising an upwardly opening crest trough having sidewalls with upper edges over which water is adapted to flow from the latter trough to said roof.

3. A fire protection system according to claim 2 including:

a cover mounted over said crest trough in vertically spaced relation to said trough edges.

4. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves,

a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls,

a lower trough extending along the base of said sidewalls for receiving the water flowing downwardly along said sidewalls, and

means for recirculating water from said lower trough to said crest conduit.

5. A fire protection system according to claim 4 wherein:

said recirculating means comprises a water reservoir, means for delivering water from said reservoir to said crest conduit, and means for returning water from said lower trough to said reservoir.

6. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising:

a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves,

a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, I 7

said eaves project outwardly beyond said sidewalls, and

said gutter outlet means comprises a conduit mounted under said eaves adjacent the upper portion of i said sidewalls and having outlet means for discharging water onto the upper sidewall portions, and means communicating said latter conduit to said gutter.

7. A fire protection system according to claim 6 including:

a lower trough extending along the base of said sidewalls for receiving the water flowing downwardly along said sidewalls, and

means for recirculating water from said lower trough to said crest conduit.

8. A fire protection system according to claim 7 wherein:

said recirculating means comprises a water reservoir, means for delivering water from said reservoir to said crest conduit, and means for returning water from said lower trough to said reservoir.

9. A fire protection system according to claim 8 wherein:

recirculating means comprises a recirculating pump, and

said fire protection system further comprises a fire sensor, and means controlled by said detector for starting said pump in response to detection of a fire by said sensor.

10. A fire protection system for a building structure comprising:

a water system for delivering water to the outer surfaces of said building structure,

at least one fire sensor located externally of said structure,

means controlled by said sensor for activating said water system to wet said structure in response to detection of a fire by said sensor, and

said water system comprising a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves, a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, a water reservoir, means for delivering water from said reservoir to said crest conduit, and means for returning water from the lower portions of said building sidewalls to said reservoir. 

1. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising: a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves, and a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and outlet means extending from said gutter under said eaves for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls.
 2. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising: a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves, a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, and said conduit comprising an upwardly opening crest trough having sidewalls with upper edges over which water is adapted to flow from the latter trough to said roof.
 3. A fire protection system according to claim 2 including: a cover mounted over said crest trough in vertically spaced relation to said trough edges.
 4. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves, a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, a lower trough extending along the base of said sidewalls for receiving the water flowing downwardly along said sidewalls, and means for recirculating water from said lower trough to said crest conduit.
 5. A fire protection system according to claim 4 wherein: said recirculating means comprises a water reservoir, Means for delivering water from said reservoir to said crest conduit, and means for returning water from said lower trough to said reservoir.
 6. A fire protection system for a building structure having sidewalls and a sloping roof with a crest and eaves, comprising: a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves, a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, said eaves project outwardly beyond said sidewalls, and said gutter outlet means comprises a conduit mounted under said eaves adjacent the upper portion of said sidewalls and having outlet means for discharging water onto the upper sidewall portions, and means communicating said latter conduit to said gutter.
 7. A fire protection system according to claim 6 including: a lower trough extending along the base of said sidewalls for receiving the water flowing downwardly along said sidewalls, and means for recirculating water from said lower trough to said crest conduit.
 8. A fire protection system according to claim 7 wherein: said recirculating means comprises a water reservoir, means for delivering water from said reservoir to said crest conduit, and means for returning water from said lower trough to said reservoir.
 9. A fire protection system according to claim 8 wherein: recirculating means comprises a recirculating pump, and said fire protection system further comprises a fire sensor, and means controlled by said detector for starting said pump in response to detection of a fire by said sensor.
 10. A fire protection system for a building structure comprising: a water system for delivering water to the outer surfaces of said building structure, at least one fire sensor located externally of said structure, means controlled by said sensor for activating said water system to wet said structure in response to detection of a fire by said sensor, and said water system comprising a water conduit mounted along said roof crest having outlet means for discharging water onto said roof adjacent said crest, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said roof to said roof eaves, a gutter mounted along said eaves for receiving the water from said roof and having outlet means for discharging the water onto the upper portions of said sidewalls, whereby the water flows by gravity downwardly along said sidewalls, a water reservoir, means for delivering water from said reservoir to said crest conduit, and means for returning water from the lower portions of said building sidewalls to said reservoir. 